Whilst there was no formal meeting for our members this month, some of us have met up at our various groups and we also enjoyed our traditional summer outing.
First on the calendar was the Book Club who met to give their thoughts on Isabel Allende’s The Wind That Knows my Name – this was an emotional read for our ladies and one reader said she shed many tears. We heard stories from across the world and years – the theme of the book was the separation of children from their parents due to conflicts and emigration and how it continues to affect their lives.
The following day we had our summer outing to the Tower of London. To make this viable we invite others to join us. Once again, we chose to go with Mervyn’s coaches and our driver on this occasion was Joseph who is a grandson of Mervyn. His first love is musical theatre, but when he is “resting” between jobs and auditions he drives for the company and as he loves to interact with his passengers, he gave us some interesting facts along the way. Unfortunately, due to road closures and traffic it took us a while to arrive at our destination, but this did nothing to spoil the day. Once we were admitted to the Tower, we were free to do whatever we wanted. Some of us joined in guided tours offered by the Yeomen of the Guard others just free-styled. Many of us queued to gain entry to the Crown Jewels. Having seen some of the royal regalia used at last year’s Coronation of King Charles III we were keen to see them for real. They did not disappoint – they were magnificent, glittering under the display lights. It was impossible to visit every part of the 1,000-year-old Tower which has been both a home and prison to so many, but we did our best.
Others took the opportunity to travel on the coach to visit other parts of the city or to meet up with family. Whatever their choice everyone enjoyed their day.
A few days later and it was the turn of the walking group to meet. Numbers kept changing during the week and in the end just four of us enjoyed a ramble starting from The Oak in Smannell. It was a lovely relaxing way to spend the morning followed by an enjoyable lunch.
As you would expect we are gearing up to offer refreshments at the Village Fete on 07 September and there have been various meetings, exchanges of emails and WhatsApp messages as we approach this event.
Our next meeting is on 26 September. Jude Price is going to share her experience of walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats. As usual the meeting starts at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall. Non-members are always welcome to join us.
DIARY DATES:
04 September – Book Club : Dobbies Garden Centre 10.30 a.m.
07 September – Abbotts Ann W.I. Refreshments at the Village Fete
12 September – Coffee Morning : Sports Pavilion at 10.30 a.m. (Refreshments £2) Non-members welcome
14 September – Walking Group
26 September – Monthly Meeting : 7.30 p.m. in Abbotts Ann Village Hall
